Hi there. Stumbled upon this support forum as I was trying to find the miracle cure for my anal fissure (2+ months). I cannot believe there are so many of you that have dealt with this for years. I feel like a wimp complaining at 2+ months but as I'm sure you all know I am just so tired of being in pain every single day. I am hoping that those of you with more experience with this can help guide me or share any tips while my AF is still "fresh." Still trying to understand it all so bear with me as I have many, many questions...
Current situation: I am a 24 y/o female and I have had bloody and dagger-like painful stools for the last two months - with every BM. For a few days while on steroid cream the bleeding and pain stopped but as soon as I went off it came back with a vengeance. Now I am taking fiber 2x daily (Citrucel) and trying to stay hydrated. My doc prescribed nifedipine/lido cream which I use before/after a BM. She said to live life normally, drink coffee and alcohol, but whenever I do this I am so miserable I cry the next day, even sometimes hours after my BM. I believe those are the spasms. I am slowly getting back into exercise and I think this is probably the best opportunity for progress. I saw threads for coconut/olive oil and flax seeds so I think I should start doing that too. My stools are softer now but still quite large so they really aggravate my AF. Should I take less fiber or is that blasphemy... My IBS friend recommended acacia but I don't want to overload. I don't usually get constipated, would it be dumb to cut back or eliminate my fiber all together to make my stools smaller? How long will I feel like this? I don't want to get surgery but from the sounds of it it is the most promising option.
Additionally, I read that AF are caused (more likely correlated) with emotional stress. Since the beginning of this year I have been recovering from an ectopic pregnancy that ended up rupturing leading to the emergent surgery that removed my fallopian tube and rewarded me with this AF. I am really stressed. I am seeing someone for this but it will be some time before I sort out my sources of anxiety... does anyone have any tips on relieving the stress from my AF? I am just really fearful that I will be dealing with this for months (probably a reality) or years to come. I am sitting for a graduate entrance exam in June and it is an 8 hour exam. Studying for it while working full time takes a toll on my bum's endurance but I am freaking out that I won't even be able to take the exam because my bum will be spasming or throbbing in pain. Has anyone taken magnesium for spasms? Not a strong direction of advice on it but I figure its worth a shot. If that doesn't help I may ask for a Valium prescription. Although I really just want to heal entirely, not mask the pain.
End rant. It feels good to let that out to people that understand. Thank you for posting your help and advice.